​Starting the first day of the pig year at Fushimi Inari ⛩️ Taisha to pray for a good business year ahead. Good health and happiness for everyone that I know.

Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷大社, Fushimi Inari Taisha) is an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters and belongs to the shrine grounds.

Fushimi Inari is the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. Foxes are thought to be Inari's messengers, resulting in many fox statues across the shrine grounds. Fushimi Inari Shrine has ancient origins, predating the capital's move to Kyoto in 794.

I didn't venture too far up the mountain though - it was just too packed. Eventually backtracked and decided to detour to Uji instead.

Wellaholic is pleased to announce our partnership with Serene Martin, a renowned International Wellness Coach, Motivational Speaker, Yoga Instructor and a Beauty Influencer. Serene shares on living empowered lives, beauty and fitness and has motivated, coached and inspired countless women to live better, look more beautiful and grow fitter.

Serene has hosted Supermodel International Singapore 2018, and was featured with Oprah Winfrey and other Motivational Experts in 'In the Spirit of Bliss' limited edition publication. She has hosted many workshops, with 'Anti-Ageing Workshop for Be Your Own Beautiful Store', in partnership with Luxasia.

In 2019, Wellaholic will be partnering with Serene - Serene will be documenting her journey with Wellaholic's Super Hair Removal PRESTIGE Unlimited as part of her preparation for an upcoming fitness competition. In addition, Wellaholic will be enlisting Serene's help to lead workshops for our customers in the areas of beauty and wellness.

As part of the Fat Freeze Singapore Review, we will be reviewing the WellaFreeze Fat Freeze treatment at Wellaholic. For this review, we are happy to have Rany, a beautiful model cum influencer.

Rany at Wellaholic (Orchard Outlet)

Wellaholic’s WellaFreeze™ or cryolipolysis helps target the stubborn fat areas of your body, such as the waist, arms and back. By using the latest breakthrough in science, and approved by FDA in 2011, the fat cells are “dissolved” by non-surgical means. This helps customers who have unwanted fat in targeted areas. While it is not a one-stop-shop for major fat loss, it is ideal for spot reduction for a specific area.

The mechanics of WellaFreeze

The staff on duty to service Rany for her WellaFreeze treatment was Rachel. Rachel is our freelance staff who is stationed at Orchard Outlet.

The first step of the treatment is the consultation. Consultation for WellaFreeze is important as the customer might be doing fat freeze for the first time. Rachel briefed Rany on the science behind WellaFreeze Fat Freeze and how it works. What WellaFreeze Fat Freeze does is to freeze the fat cells are sub-zero temperatures, and after the treatment the body will naturally purge the frozen (and dead) fat cells. By explaning the science as well as the Fat Freeze procedure to Rany, she is able to better understand how the process will be carried out.

A key aspect of the Fat Freeze or Cryolipolysis treatment is the preparation. Here, Rany's pulse rate, and blood oxygen level is being measured to ensure that she's suitable for the Fat Freeze treatment. The area to be treated is being measured using a physical caliper to gauge the thickness of the skin to be treatment. There is no pain or discomfort throughout this stage.

Rany is looking to Fat Freeze her arms. To be honest, Rany is a svelte and slender lady who's both graceful and beautiful. Nevertheless, Rany felt that WellaFreeze would help remove excess fat from her upper arms. After measurement with the calipers, an anti-freeze membrane is applied to the skin, and an additional protective layer of cling wrap is added to secure the membrane and also to keep the membrance to the skin. This is important as the anti-freeze prevents the skin from getting frost-bitten.

In order to have excellent Fat Freeze results, it is important to choose the right probe size. At Wellaholic, there are 4 kinds of probe sizes, meant for different parts of the body. Here, an appropriate probe size is chosen and then secured (by suction) to the part to be treated. The blue light shows that the freezing has already commenced successfully.

The WellaFreeze machine is able to automatically adjust the pressure and temperature based on the treated area to ensure that the best fat freeze treatment can take place. The process usually takes between 45 to 65 minutes.

Rany was happy with the results, and in fact came by for another few sessions. The sessions need to be spaced 30 days apart (for the specific body part).

What sets Wellaholic's WellaFreeze Fat Freeze apart from other providers are the following:

2. OUR BODY CLEARS THE FROZEN FAT CELLS EFFECTIVELYOur body is really good at making sure we don’t have cells we no longer need left around and breaks them down after they have been frozen during treatment.

3. WE REALLY DO PEE AWAY THE FAT CELLS!Peeing, pooping, sweating and breathing is all part of the natural process of ridding ourselves of waste. The fat cells that are killed by the treatment is disposed through the lymphatic system.

4. THE TREATED AREA MAY FEEL LIKE A CHILLED CHICKEN THIGHImmediately after treatment, the areas will of course feel colder but it rarely freeze solid. The skin will be pink for a while, but this will last for between 30 to 60 minutes after.

5. RESULTS ARE NOT INSTANT AND YOU WILL NEED TO BE PATIENTAs the body takes time to naturally dispose the dead fat cells, you will take between 30 days to 90 days to see the full extend of the treatment.

6. WELLAFREEZE IS NOT JUST FOR THE BELLYWhile the belly or stomach is the most popular treatment area, other areas such as the hips, inner thighs, lower back, upper arms or even chin can be treated.

7. WELLAFREEZE CAN ALSO TREAT MAN BOOPS OR GYNECOMASTIAWellaFreeze can also be used effectively to treat male chest reduction or Gynecomastia, the swelling of beast tissue in males.

8. SIDE EFFECTS ARE VERY MINIMAL OR NON-EXISTENTSide effects are very minimal and only include pinkness that lasts up to an hour after the treatment. There is also no down-time.

9. YOU CAN DO TWO BODY PARTS CONCURRENTLYAt Wellaholic, our machines allow you two concurrent sessions at one go, thereby saving you time for treatments.

As we approach the year end festivities, there is a tendency for us to drink more. We are often told that too much alcohol is bad for us, but do you really know why? Have you ever wondered how alcohol affects your liver when sipping your favorite cocktail or schooner of beer? Here’s a quick rundown:

Your liver is a robust organ and can usually cope with drinking a small amount of alcohol. However the liver can only handle a certain amount of alcohol at any given time, so if you drink more than the liver can deal with by drinking too quickly, or drinking too much, your liver cells struggle to process it.

When alcohol reaches the liver, it produces a toxic enzyme called acetaldehyde which can damage liver cells and cause permanent scarring, as well as harm to the brain and stomach lining.

Now, here are seven ways to look after your liver: ​

1. Have a Balanced DietIt’s also important to watch what you eat. “While nearly every cell in the body is able to metabolise glucose, only the liver cells can handle fructose,” says Dr Sherwood of the Functional Medicine Institute in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “If we consume too much fructose over time, the liver can become overwhelmed and suffer irreparable damage.” Limit foods that are high in refined sugars and high-fructose corn syrup, such as soft drinks, baked goods and sweets. Stick to natural sources of sugar (fruit for example) instead.​

2. Maintain a Healthy WeightAlcohol is not the only thing that can cause fatty liver disease – obesity (or even just being overweight) puts you at risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).​People who have NAFLD are at an increased risk of suffering from cardiovascular problems; they also typically have diabetes and high cholesterol. During the early stages of NAFLD, the condition can be managed by losing weight, drastically reducing fat intake and exercising regularly. ​

3. Exercise RegularlyRegular exercising helps your body burn triglycerides for fuel, which can help reduce liver fat. Following an exercise programme that includes both aerobic exercises (walking, cycling or swimming) and weight training can improve your liver function.

Aerobic exercise helps strengthen your heart muscle, which means it can pump blood more efficiently throughout your body. When this happens, your pulse slows and blood flow improves – it’s easier for your heart to move blood to your liver, and then for your liver to send the filtered blood back into your system.​Building lean muscle mass delays severe muscle wasting, which occurs during the advanced stages of liver disease. Weight training also prevents a build-up of excess body fat, which can cause fatty liver and result in a non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases says that although NASH initially presents with only a few symptoms, it can cause your liver to become non-functional. ​

4. Stay Hydrated and Drink Lots of WaterYour body needs to remain hydrated. Toxins that affect your kidneys, liver and bowel function will build up when you become dehydrated.

According to Dr Neil-Sherwood, “Dehydration can have a direct effect on our liver’s ability to properly detoxify our body. So as the liver loses hydration, it also loses its organ reserve, or what it uses to take care of the rest of the body.” ​Water also helps maintain the fluid content of your blood. When you become dehydrated, your blood becomes thicker – your liver is responsible for filtering blood and the thickness can impact its ability to detoxify.​

5. Cut Down on Processed Foods Manufacturers like to cram in lots of sodium, sugar, and chemicals to “improve” taste and appearance, extend shelf-life, and maximize profits.

Unfortunately, our liver gets the task of filtering through all the junk we eat and too much processed food can really take a toll on its functionality.

One particularly pesky ingredient that’s practically ubiquitous in processed foods is high fructose corn syrup. This refined sugar is made up of about 55 percent fructose and 45 percent glucose.

When we consume high fructose corn syrup, the liver uses it to create fat, which slowly accumulates in the liver cells and can lead to liver disease.

6. Cut Down or Limit on Alcohol Consumption Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol can cause damage to your liver cells. Over time, liver damage can cause a build-up of fat in your liver, inflammation or swelling and/or scarring (cirrhosis). If you already have liver disease, even a small amount of alcohol can worsen your condition. ​How much is a moderate amount of alcohol? According to a previous Health24 article, women should limit their consumption to one drink per day, while men should only have two. One drink is equal to 148ml of wine, a 355ml beer or one shot (44ml) of an 80-proof liquor. ​

7. Consider Liver Supplementation

Milk thistle has been used to treat liver disorders for more than 2,000 years. It’s the herbal ingredient most often used for liver complaints in the United States.

The active substance in milk thistle is silymarin, which is made up of several natural plant chemicals.

Lab studies suggest that silymarin helps regenerate liver tissue, bring down inflammation, and protect liver cells from damage by acting as an antioxidant. A 2017 analysis of studies found that silymarin slightly reduced certain liver enzymes, markers of liver damage, in people with liver disease. More research is still needed to know how well milk thistle might work.​Wellaholic's Liver Support helps boost and support liver function. Milk thistle, is a natural herb that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and is commonly used to detoxify the body, especially the liver, as well as help liver diseases and gallbladder problems.

My November trip to Egypt was a good one. In a strange way, it dovetails my trip to Peru, Machu Picchu more than a decade ago. During my university days, I read this book called 'Fingerprints of the Gods'. Described as an pesudoarchelogy book, the author Grahan Hancock gave an interesting take on the possibility of an ancient civilisation or race that helped created all these phenomenal ancient monuments.

Due to my busy schedules, I did not have time to prepare for the trip. I was ready to take in all the sights and sounds, good or bad, as part of the time. Let me summarise all the good and all the bad:

The Good

Relatively safe. I did not once feel uneasy or that anyone would assault or rob me.

Amazing monuments, structures and relics. It's amazing how all these structures could be built using pre-B.C. technology!

Great insights and learning. I am certainly more well-versed in Egyptology now than several months back.

Nice food. I like Egyptian food, especially the bread and hummus. I am not a fussy eater haha.

Good weather. Hot and dry in the day, but cool in the evenings.

The Bad

Hygiene standards. Not advisable to drink tap water. Several member of our tour group suffered from food / water poisoning and it was not a nice sight.

Lots of touting and tipping. We were expected to tip almost everyone for everything. And the touts were persistent.

Lots of squatters and buildings that were built halfway and then left as they are. Certainly an eyesore in the city of Cairo.

After 12 days, however, I was fatigued and tired out. While doing a land tour (with Intrepid) was convenient and safe, as the tour operators planned everything, towards the end of the trip, I could see that everyone was tired out and wanted more alone-time haha.

When the tour ended, and with two days left, we decided to "take a gamble" and booked an airplane ride to Sharm El Sheikh. Sharm el-Sheikh is an Egyptian resort town between the desert of the Sinai Peninsula and the Red Sea. It's known for its sheltered sandy beaches, clear waters and coral reefs. Naama Bay, with a palm tree-lined promenade, is filled with bars and restaurants. Ras Muhammad National Park is a major diving destination, with marine life around the Shark and Yolanda reefs and the Thistlegorm wreck. The Red Sea is supposed to be the best waters for diving, so we did some snorkelling and then returned back to Cairo.

There was a young man who had ambitions to work for a company because it paid very well and was very prestigious. He prepared his résumé and had several interviews. Eventually, he was given an entry-level position. Then he turned his ambition to his next goal—a supervisor position that would afford him even greater prestige and more pay. So he completed the tasks he was given. He came in early some mornings and stayed late so the boss would see him putting in long hours.

After five years a supervisor position became available. But, to the young man’s great dismay, another employee, who had only worked for the company for six months, was given the promotion. The young man was very angry, and he went to his boss and demanded an explanation.

The wise boss said, “Before I answer your questions, would you do a favor for me?”

“Yes, sure,” said the employee.

“Would you go to the store and buy some oranges? My wife needs them.”

The young man agreed and went to the store. When he returned, the boss asked, “What kind of oranges did you buy?”

“I don’t know,” the young man answered. “You just said to buy oranges, and these are oranges. Here they are.”

“How much did they cost?” the boss asked.

“Well, I’m not sure,” was the reply. “You gave me $30. Here is your receipt, and here is your change.”

“Thank you,” said the boss. “Now, please have a seat and pay careful attention.”

Then the boss called in the employee who had received the promotion and asked him to do the same job. He readily agreed and went to the store.

When he returned, the boss asked, “What kind of oranges did you buy?”

“Well,” he replied, “the store had many varieties—there were navel oranges, Valencia oranges, blood oranges, tangerines, and many others, and I didn’t know which kind to buy. But I remembered you said your wife needed the oranges, so I called her. She said she was having a party and that she was going to make orange juice. So I asked the grocer which of all these oranges would make the best orange juice. He said the Valencia orange was full of very sweet juice, so that’s what I bought. I dropped them by your home on my way back to the office. Your wife was very pleased.”

“How much did they cost?” the boss asked.

“Well, that was another problem. I didn’t know how many to buy, so I once again called your wife and asked her how many guests she was expecting. She said 20. I asked the grocer how many oranges would be needed to make juice for 20 people, and it was a lot. So, I asked the grocer if he could give me a quantity discount, and he did! These oranges normally cost 75 cents each, but I paid only 50 cents. Here is your change and the receipt.”

The boss smiled and said, “Thank you; you may go.”​He looked over at the young man who had been watching. The young man stood up, slumped his shoulders and said, “I see what you mean,” as he walked dejectedly out of the office.